I was kind of confused, when Election Commission declared
that the vote would be allowed from Voters Identity Card, Citizenship, Driving
License, Passports and any other Government issued legal documents where the
photo is kept. I was really frustrated hearing this, later I got to know that
the information I got was not clear; things like Citizenship, Driving License,
Passports and any other legal documents would be actually accepted in case if
the voters don’t get the voters identity card! I was still not satisfied, but
consoled myself reminding those places of Nepal, where it might take days to
reach the place of distribution.
I was then frustrated towards Election Commission, why had
they done this task this late? Issuing the cards, just few days before election
was actually shameful!
I had checked my name earlier in the website of Election
Commission sometimes back, and, I went to receive my Voters Identity Card. To
my surprise, I did not find my name there at the place of distribution! I tried
to enquire people there, where security person obstructed me, saying it was my
fault. I did not hesitate to argue with him for my rights.
‘You are not allowed
to get in here’
‘Why? I am just for
inquiry!’ I replied.
‘Go and get into the
line!’
‘I don’t have my name
there, and you are talking of line?’
‘No! I am here to
provide security, you are not allowed in here!’
‘I said, I am just for
inquiry, and I am not creating any obstacle for your security!’
‘I can’t let you in!’
‘Look sir! I don’t
have my name included there, and you are asking me for something stupid! Be
logical!’
‘If you don’t have
name, you can’t vote! That’s it!’
‘What? And now, you
are to say me to vote or not? You are here to provide security, not to guide
citizens! How can I trust you? Tomorrow you may say whom to vote… ‘
My voice was creating some noise, and I could see him
getting flexible.
‘Okay sir, but if you
don’t have name, what can we do?’
‘I am not asking you
to do anything; I just want to know what should I do, because my name is there
in voter’s list, but not here!’
So, he allowed me to make inquiry. And my name was not
there, so I had no cards too. I rushed to Election Commission Office of
Biratnagar, and there were several peoples like me with same troubles.
Election Commission probably had enough time; it was there
carelessness that they delayed the task. It was just before 10 days they sent
the card to get printed. They obviously had enough budgets too. Their
carelessness is the prime cause for this!
And, at the time, when at other countries, this card plays
important role, the temporary voter’s identity card is shameful. No quality and
not of proper size, showed that entire drama they were doing since last three
years was all for the corruption!
I got the card late! Really late in fact, just before the day
of election. It was just that when my dad expressed my card missing to one of
the Party Member, he suggested me to go to next place, where there could be my
name.
I then came to know that, Election Commission had made the
decision of keeping two Voting Centers at my Region. I had no Idea, and my card
was at the next voting center, of whose I had no idea. The peoples involved
there could at least tell me, that there can be my name in another center. They
ignored that too…
Anyways, it’s now for sure… I’ll take part in election!
